Does Truly Hard Seltzer Actually Contain Caffeine?

The Truth About Caffeine in Truly Hard Seltzer

As a popular brand of spiked seltzer, Truly has become a go-to alcoholic beverage for health-conscious drinkers. With options like strawberry lemonade, mango, and pineapple flavors, Truly offers a fruity taste while keeping calories and carbs low.

But one question on many fans' minds is: does Truly actually contain caffeine? With the variety of fruit flavor profiles, some people claim they can feel an extra burst of energy after drinking Trulys.

Let's analyze the ingredients, nutrition facts, and side effects to uncover the truth about whether there is really any caffeine hiding in those colorful cans.

Examining Truly's Ingredients

First, let's inspect the ingredients list on Truly's fruit-flavored seltzer waters:

• Carbonated water
• Cane sugar
• Natural flavors
• Citric acid
• Sodium citrate
• Fruit juice concentrates
• Alcohol

Scanning through this list, there is no direct mention of caffeine or anything that typically contains significant amounts of caffeine. No coffee, tea, chocolate, or "energy blend" type ingredients.

Analyzing the Nutrition Facts

Next, we can take a look at the nutritional information and servings facts provided on Truly's packaging:

• 100 calories per 12 fluid ounce can
• 2 grams of carbohydrates
• 2 grams of sugar per can
• 1 gram or less of protein
• 5% alcohol by volume

Again, no caffeine is called out. And none of the macros calories, carbs, sugar, protein give any indication that caffeine may be hiding unlisted.

No "Energy Drink" Effects

Some speculate that certain fruit flavors like lemonade may provide caffeine-like energy, but this doesn't seem to be the case. Most people do not report sides effects commonly associated with caffeinated beverages after drinking Trulys, such as:

• Jitters or anxious feelings
• Rapid heartbeat
• Insomnia
• Crashes or energy drop-offs
• Withdrawal symptoms like headaches

Without these typical caffeinated reactions, it's very unlikely that the fruit flavors are providing any stimulating effects beyond some added vitamins and minerals from the fruit juice concentrates.

Does Any Hard Seltzer Contain Caffeine?

While most major spiked seltzer brands like White Claw, Bon & Viv, and Smirnoff do not contain caffeine or list it as an ingredient, there are a handful of smaller brands marketing caffeinated seltzers.

Some alcoholic seltzers contain added caffeine include:

• Crook & Marker with 70mg caffeine per can
• Liquid Death with 77mg per can
• Dogfish Head with 120mg per serving

So while Truly and most top brands stick to simple fruit-flavored bubbly waters with alcohol, some specialty options are now experimenting with putting caffeine in hard seltzers.

Why Add Caffeine to Alcoholic Drinks?

Some functional reasons brands say they add caffeine to alcoholic beverages include:

• Mask the flavor of alcohol
• Provide an extra energy boost
• Enhance the drinking experience
• Appeal to fans of drinks like Irish coffee

The belief is that by giving consumers more energy to keep partying, the caffeine makes people buy and drink more alcohol overall.

The Controversy Around Mixing Caffeine and Alcohol

However, health agencies warn about potential risks when you combine caffeine and alcohol:

• Increased risk of binge drinking
• Higher likelihood of alcohol poisoning
• Greater impulsive risk taking behavior
• Higher rates of injury or accidents

The CDC also notes that energy drinks with alcohol can be hard to distinguish from non-alcoholic beverages, leading people to unintentionally drink more than they planned.

So despite some possible functional benefits, many health professionals caution against this growing trend of adding caffeine to alcoholic seltzers and cocktails.

The Healthiest Options for Spiked Seltzer

While no definitive long term studies prove whether caffeinated alcohol is safe or not, limiting health risks is always the best approach.

If you want to enjoy spiked seltzer responsibly, look for options that are:

Lower in Sugar

Excess sugar contributes empty calories and hangover symptoms. Brands like White Claw, Truly, and Bon & Viv only have 1-2 grams of sugar per can.

Real Fruit Flavors

Opt for seltzers made with real fruit juice over artificial flavors when possible for more nutrients.

Session Strength Alcohol

Higher alcohol volumes increase adverse effects. Most seltzers stick to a reasonably sessionable 4-6% alcohol by volume.

No Caffeine Added

Avoid seltzers actively advertising "energy drink" style effects or caffeine content on the labels for safety.

Serving Size of 12 Oz

Moderate your portions by choosing single-serve 12 oz cans instead of 16-25 oz tall boy options.

Alternatives to Hard Seltzers

While tasty and refreshing, no alcoholic beverage is completely without risk. Here are some healthy non-alcoholic or lower alcohol alternatives to swap in:

Mocktails

Combine sparkling water, fruit juice, herbs, and fancy garnish for a special zero-proof cocktail.

Kombucha

Naturally fermented tea with benefits like probiotics, antioxidants, and trace alcohol around 0.5%.

CBD Drinks

Waters, teas, or sodas infused with trendy, non-intoxicating CBD provide relaxation without alcohol.

Virgin Spritzes

Make lighter wine spritzers using dealcoholized wines and sparking fruit juices instead.

The Verdict on Caffeine in Truly

Based on an analysis of the ingredients list, nutrition facts label, and anecdotal consumer experiences, there is no good evidence showing Truly hard seltzer contains caffeine.

A few smaller specialty spiked seltzer brands have started experimenting with adding caffeine in recent years. But popular fruit-flavored brands like Truly, White Claw, and Bon & Viv appear to remain caffeine-free.

While convenient and tasty, even non-caffeinated alcoholic seltzers should be enjoyed responsibly as part of an overall balanced lifestyle.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.